Bonus Scene

Bonus Scene

The inner musings of Doctor Eric Daniels

Lowering my medical journal, I glance over at Ari as she shifts on the couch next to me. Her feet rest in my lap as I gently rub her swollen ankles with one hand. At four months pregnant, she's starting to show now, her stomach swelling gently, and in my eyes, she's never looked more beautiful. Of course, she thinks the opposite, so the others and I have make it our mission to shower her with our affection.

Running my eyes over her now, I take her in as she reads her magazine, one hand resting on her growing bump.

Mate , my inner demon growls with satisfaction, and I fully agree with him. As a full-blooded demon, I have both a human and a demon form, a little like a shifter. Many demons choose not to use their human form, succumbing to their demon side fully. I, however, choose to be more than what my baser instincts try to force me to be—a pain-feeding demon. While I have to feed to live, I refuse to cause pain. As a doctor, I'm able to help people, to save them, but no matter what I do, I can never completely take away their pain. It seemed like a win-win, I can feed on their pain without causing it, and still save lives.

Sensing my gaze on her, Ari looks up from her magazine and smiles at me.

Protect . For once, myself and my demonic side are in agreement. Ever since Ari told us she was pregnant, when it comes to her, it's been much easier to control that side of me. The strongest urge within me is no longer the one to maim or hurt, but to shelter and defend the woman bonded to my soul who could be carrying my child.

We've all agreed that although biologically, the child will only have one father, we will all be its father. I don't care if it turns into a wolf or if he or she turns out to be part demon, I will love them fiercely either way.

With my demon hearing, I can detect the others moving around in the house, ever close by. They never leave Ari's side for long, being just as protective of her as I am. Happy sounds of a child playing reach me, so I know that Jessica and Seb are home. Tori's out in the city somewhere, that's another little worry we still have to contend with, but we'll deal with that another day.

Ari must sense my concern through the bond as she lowers her magazine and places her hand on my arm. "Is everything okay?" Her brow creases slightly, and I want to lean across and press a kiss there until she stops frowning.

A sense of joy fills me, my demon humming in the back of my mind as I run my eyes over my pregnant mate once more. I don't know what I did to deserve fate rewarding me with a mate such as her, but I shall be forever thankful. There's still a lot of uncertainty, a lot of unknowns, but right now, I'm consumed with contentment. Smiling, I take her hand in mine, squeezing as Alex and the others bustle into the room, breaking the quiet of the moment. "Yes, everything's perfect."